Quest #28 "Kegenstien's Expedition Over the River"

[Paladin]

Keyon

Sensing the ruffled feathers, Keyon offers a shrug. "Most of us know little about these obelisks, other than talk around Beachtown. But The Knife's idea does strike a chord with me. A group large enough to pose a threat to these beasts might win through. Who knows what treasures these ogres have stored up?"

He scans the faces of both groups to see who might be most receptive to his offer. "After all...pulling a mission together would build trust between our two parties. And each group taking half of an ogres treasure seems much better than taking none at all, right?"

Keyon shrugs again and motions to Keg. "The big man here is leading this expedition, so I defer to his judgment, but it's a thought."

He winks at Feanol. "See if I fish you from the sea again, elf-maiden," he teases gently. "Keep rolling those so hard and they might fall out of your pretty head."

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Approaches closer to the Big Female.

I am not with holding information it just seems like an odd place to be discussing another mission but I you want o hear what I have to say then listen up. The monoliths all radiate power. This was confirmed by the Mages Guild. I was sent here to find them and an Ancient Library thought to be here by the Guild. The Monoliths are arranged in a circle around the island. Power radiating so strong the Mage's can detect it from the City Of Greyhawk far inland.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"Do you think so many of us could be able to manage those ogres? I don't know, even if they were only three (and I think you said there were four of them, right?) it will be a blood bath.

I insist, we should take Gretchen's advice as a warning. Beyond that river things are tough. Maybe too tough for us."

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"Or we could let Keyon sneak in there at night and tie them all up, and then we kill them, that should be simple enough".

[Paladin]

Keyon

The young elf nods gravely, adopting a serious face. "My sneaking skills are legendary, as you've seen. But I'd hate to deprive you martial types of a chance to flex your muscles." He glances at Feanol with the ghost of a grin peeking through the serious facade. "And you mighty wizards a chance to fling fireballs. Provided some of you don't fall into the river first."

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel can't help but laugh at this exchange. "I can see the seeds of love sprotuing!

Calm down. We're all together in this. We should be serious. There's lives at stake here. Ours!"

[OGRE MAGE]

Rumors And Things
Moonday, 22nd of Goodmonth
Morning, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Gretchen and her company listen very closely to what Darklin tells them next, glad that he decided to share after all. The skinny human steps forward, as if he is about to ask something else, when the large half-orc looks sideways at him, causing him to step back behind her again.

Looking a little closer at their small band, it appears they have had a miserable time out in the jungle. Their clothes and gear is disheveled and they are covered in dirt, scrapes, scratches, and bug bites. Each of them looks completely exhausted. Gretchen address the requests to combine the groups.

“I think the idea is sound, but you must forgive us. We have had a dreadful night out here, unable to sleep at all in these horrible conditions. Let me give you a little advice before we take our leave and head back for a real meal and some much needed sleep. DONT try to camp out here at night unless you have a shelter of some kind. The insects are so bad at night you wouldn’t believe it. Why, they nearly carried poor Purvis there away in his bedroll. Unless you have some means to keep them away, I suggest only making short day treks out into the wild. Believe me, you will regret trying to camp out in the open. I didn’t think it would be as bad as everyone said, but it was actually worse.”

Actions?

map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477
Keyon 6/6
Keg Woodwright 13/13
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
The Knife* 5/5
Feanol 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Darklin Sylvanas 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Thank you for your concerns, we will keep that in mind. We are mainly just scouting out new land looking for another spot to move the town before the Dwarves return again. If any of you care to talk more about the Structures I will be back in town in a few days and I can show you a map that was given to me in Greyhawk.

He makes eye contact with the Skinny/ Magish fellow.

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Nods at the advice of Gretchen. Thanks for the heads up on all accounts. We might rethink what was were doing with that news.
I was sure that the other side was more likely to be uninhabited, but I suppose that idea is dead and gone now. Thanks again. Keg looks to the others, obviously more eager to get going again. Remind me next time you see me in town for the drinks I owe you and your lot here.

[Jernau35]

The Knife

"You know," The Knife says, "there's one possible place to stay on the other side of the river. There's a cave over there. We should be safe from bugs in there".

"Someone told me a terrible witch used to live there, but she was killed by a brave druid and his eleven companions. What? His elven companion? Just one elf? Are you sure? Well, he's even braver than I thought."

[Paladin]

Keyon

He fixes TK with an inquisitive look. "A witch, you say?" He raises one eyebrow. "That's a tale I'd like to hear in detail sometime." Keyon glances at the trail ahead. "Perhaps our native talents will prove more useful as we forge ahead, Knife." The young elf flashes a grin and bobs a slight bow to the other group. "Pleasure to meet you all. Do join us for that drink sometime." He hitches up the straps on his pack and prepares to venture ahead.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

Smiles and nods at the adventuring group. "Yes, like my companions said, thank you for the advise! It looks like a dangerous place for us... We'll have to be careful..." She looks sideways at Keg. "If we still plan on going there and risk our lives, that is."

At TK's comments she says: "Sure that was a valiant druid. If he went only with an elven companion, then I'm sure that elf was very courageous too!" She winks at the gnome.

[Bluehorse]

Keg

To his companions. Okay, so I say we are halfway there already, lets at least go take a look and be careful. Cross the river, scout the cave, keep an eye out for ogres. If the cave is empty, we have a place to seek shelter and we can discuss plans from there, agreed?
Other ideas?

[Darklin2]

Darklin

Agreed. The cave will also give us a place to get away from the Ogres if they come after us. If we keep a low profile there shouldn't be a problem. But I am in what ever you decide.
I am here to keep my Elven Lady safe..

[Paladin]

Keyon

"Works for me, mate."

[Ahlmzhad]

Feanol

"Darklin, if you feel its a good or bad idea speak up. I hired you to defend me, advice is part of that defense. If going to the cave is a good idea I have no problem trying for the cave. Is it reachable by nightfall? If it is then lets give it a try. If not we can go until mid day then return, or we'll just have to survive the bugs, it appears they survived, just lost a bit of blood and gained some bumps." Then looking at the gnome, "and, I'm sure Knife that you'd make up for that elf and his eleven companions."

[Bluehorse]

Keg

Well a group of women make it to the river and back in less than a morning every couple of days, and we are halfway there. I imagine the cave isn't much further if it is near the sea. We could probably make it back by dinner if that is what we decide to do once we get there.

[Karaunios]

Elnaerel

"That's fine. But let's be careful."

[Darklin2]

Feanol

"Darklin, if you feel its a good or bad idea speak up. I hired you to defend me, advice is part of that defense. If going to the cave is a good idea I have no problem trying for the cave. Is it reachable by nightfall? If it is then lets give it a try. If not we can go until mid day then return, or we'll just have to survive the bugs, it appears they survived, just lost a bit of blood and gained some bumps." Then looking at the gnome, "and, I'm sure Knife that you'd make up for that elf and his eleven companions."

Darklin

I have never been to this cave that was talked about but If we chose to scout the area close by it it would give us a place to get away from the bugs and keep a fire going to smoke the bugs out. A home base if you will. It would be good for shelter from the sun during the day and allow us a safe haven to hide away from the Ogres if needed. I will protect you but I can not advise on something I know nothing about. But we came here to do a mission and explore the area across the river so I am with Keg if we run into trouble or get delayed I say we make for the cave and hole up there. Maybe we should even look into the cave first so we have a fall back if anyone gets injured or we can't make the journey back to Beachtown tonight.

[OGRE MAGE]

The River
Moonday, 22nd of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Humid, Buggy

The skinny mage looks at Darklin, as if he wants to hear or say more, but peering up at the stern face of Gretchen first, he simply looks back down at the sand again. The half-orc wishes the group well as their party departs back to Beachtown.

"If we see you back in the tavern, we'll be sure to discuss any new findings once you've returned. Good luck out there!"

With that business over, Keg leads the group the rest of the way to the river without incident in the hot late morning sun. Once there, they can see the cave opening in a stretch of black cliffs that extends out of sight towards the east for many more miles, well on the other side of the river. The sand in this area has a few animal tracks and lots of people tracks, but looking around for a while, you find that you are the only ones here. The swift river exits the jungle along side an obvious trail that leads north, past the open sand, eventually disappearing into the lush foliage.

Small eddies form in the water where the swift river calmly flows out into the warm sea. There is a soft sand bank on both sides, but the large area where the water spills out appears shallow enough to wade across. The bugs buzzing in your faces, the swift flowing of water, and calls of birds and animals on the warm breeze are the only things you hear in this area.

Actions?

map: viewtopic.php?f=446&t=6346#p366477
Keyon 6/6
Keg Woodwright 13/13
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
The Knife* 5/5
Feanol 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Darklin Sylvanas 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM